Testing

Newton County School System (NCSS) has a comprehensive student assessment program consisting of instruments, procedures and policies necessary to implement various instructional initiatives guided by the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards and Georgia Performance Standards. All students in kindergarten through twelve grades are required to participate in the Georgia state-mandated assessments. Georgia State Board Rule 160-3-1-.07 requires that each local school system assess all students using the state board designated assessment instruments.

All tests are administered by Georgia certified educators after thoroughly being trained. The test examiners are held to high moral and ethical behavior while administering each test. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) has guidelines in place to help govern the administration of all tests. Standard 11 specifically governs all testing activities. Please click on the links below to view in detail Standard 11 as well as sanctions for unethical behavior.

Provides support to all schools in the NCSS regarding Georgia State Board of Education rule 160-4-2-.11 for promotion and retention of Grade 3,5, and 8 students.

Facilitates district accreditation with AdvancED's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Delivers training/guidance related to the assessment program, assessment data, and accountability mandates to all stakeholders

Implements the processes required for students and former students relative to waivers/variances of the high school graduation assessment pursuant to the Georgia State Board of Education rule 160-1-3-.09

Facilitates compliance with the College and Career Ready Performance Index ( CCRPI)

Interacts with state and federal agencies relative to the assessment program and accountability mandates

Serves as lead investigative agency for testing irregularities, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement annual CRCT Erasure Analysis, and any other issue associated with breaches in testing security

Handles assessment documents and reports including secure test materials, individual student score reports, and school/district data reports in both paper and electronic formats, including district, state, and national standardized assessments

The state of Georgia requires the assessment of all students enrolled in its K-12 public schools. The Mission of Georgia's assessment program is to measure student achievement relative to the state mandated curriculum, to provide teachers with diagnostic information, identify students failing to achieve mastery of content, and to assist school systems in identifying strengths and weaknesses when planning educational programs. Educators gain valuable data for planning and parents can benchmark the academic growth of their child. Assessments also provide valuable information regarding the progress of schools and the students.

In order to maintain the integrity of the assessment program and its results, security must be established and maintained. The responsibility for the assessment program at the school level rests with the principal and their designated school testing coordinator.

Students who entered 9th grade in 2011 - 2012 and after will not be required to take the Georgia High School Graduation Tests. However, all students are still required to take and pass the Georgia High School Writing Test. Students with disabilities, students meeting 504 requirements and English Learners may receive appropriate accommodations based on their needs as specified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP), or Testing Participation Committee (TPC) respectively. Students with disabilities unable to participate in the state testing program, are assessed with the Georgia Alternate Assessment (GAA).

Newton County Schools

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Act of 2006): or disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
Students, parents, employees and the general public are hereby notified that the Newton County Board of Education does not discriminate in any educational programs or activities or in employment policies. More Infomation